Picture

The beach scene sums it all up for me. To see that person laying on the sand while the waves clash into the rocks makes me jealous actually. I love to just sit somewhere on the beach or even rocks and just listen to the water and all the soothing noises the waves make. Doing that here in CC is one my favorite things to do when i need some time alone. Thats probably the reason why i still like living here.

Creative Writing Experience

A brick... you can use a brick to...

make flower beddings
build a wall
build a fort
make a driveway
make a chimney or fireplace
make a swing from a tree
use it as brakes for a car
door stop
a new home

Lesson Plans

I think that what ive learned so far from lesson plans is that there is no actual RIGHT kind of lesson plan. They are always gonna be different. Of course here in Texas there has to be a certain way to complete a lesson plan, and what needs to be on a lesson plan. Ive learned that in different kind of lesson plans, children will still recieve the knowledge they are intended to from the lesson plan. They can be creative in many ways, but they do have to have some sort of structure. Madeline Hunter's way of creating a lesson plan is required in the state of texas for teachers to go by, but i think that if a sub or other teacher can actually teach through a lesson plan that is not Madeline structered and not difficult, lesson plans should be able to be creative and of course well thought out for the students to comprehend the work.

Writing

My occupation... Bartending. Ive been bartending for almost four years now, going to school full time to become an early childhood teacher, and have been living on my own for almost 4 years now. Bartending is a fun and exciting job, but also tiring and stressful at times. Sometimes i feel a little embarrased when i tell people that i bartend, only because what bartending actually is. I serve alcohol to customers. Some people are there at the bar to have fun and not have a care in the world what else is going on, some people are addicted to alcohol, but i wouldnt really know that about someone at first glance. Some people drink because they have absolutely nothing else to do with themselves. I guess the point im trying to get at is if me bartending is a bad occupation to have right now while im studying to be an educator to young students. With this occupation, I have learned a lot about many many people and characteristics. Some people actually confide in me to tell me their life stories and whats been going on. Its nice sometimes, but scary at the same time.

Class Discussion

Today we discussed the importance on how teachers should be able to respond to their students when they come across different types of feelings or actions they might have after recieving their graded papers back. Most of the time you will get students who will be the "cryer, beggar, miss/mr. attitude, and the dont care one" Some of the ways we came up with as a class on how to deal with these issues were actually very helpful in the end. Most of us didnt actually know how we would respond, and thought it may be harder than it actually is. We also watched some teacher conferences with their students during writer's workshop. I liked how the teachers gave great feedback on what they originally wrote about, but was also able to give calm, appropriate revisions to help the student and their writing. There was never any tone of discouragement towards the writing or the student. I think they gave the students more courage to write better and expand their ideas.

Traditionalist: -stays with curriculum
- all knowing teacher
- test based knowledge
- Teacher mainly speaks; student prompt
- rows of desks
- discreet skills
- worksheet after worksheets
- STRUCTURED
- behaviorist model
- passive learning
- IRE : Inquiry Respond and Evaluate
- Concentrates on what the children doesnt know rather than what
the chilren do know.

Constructivist: - asks for students' input
- teacher is relaxed
- circles, clusters
- curriculum based on students' needs/ relates to life experiences
- skills are connected
- Not looking for "right answer"
- environment is designed to promote literacy development.
- activist learning.
- learning centers based on small group interaction.
- a belief in their students/searches for the best ways to teach
based on who they are and how they see the world.
- open ended questions.
- flexible
- hands on creative learning
- students create their own environment
- Writing Workshops, stations

Writer's Workshop

After watching these two videos on two different grade level writers workshop, i was actually excited to watch how these children develop their writing and comprehension skills. I honestly did not think that students as young as five years old would be able to read. i was amazed how the kindergarten class were able to give feedback on eachothers work without the help of the teacher. In the first grade class, i liked how these children were actually enjoying their writing time, and comfortable with what they were writing about. I liked how the teacher gave them the freedom to write how they wanted, whether on the floor or at a desk, with their friends or alone. they were also able to use whatever they wanted like markers, colors, pens, or pencils.

Inspiration

Inspiration... this word can mean a lot to me in many different aspects. one of my main characteristics of myself is being able to take care of myself. Ive always had this sense of stability when it came to "just doing it". Of course there are times when i hesitate to accomplish something for myself, but those are time when i just need to leave it a lone and my moral self-respect takes over. Never a bad thing. The way i see it is that God will take care of me and allow to me have what i deserve. Hard work and dedication sounds so cliche, but i cant think of another way to say it. I know it will pay off :) .... not done